The Cabins at Alert Bay

06/22/2026

We are looking forward to going to the Bighouse Field tonight – Monday, June 22nd from 4:00 to 9:00 PM – for a community BBQ before heading into the Gukwdzi for an evening of celebration!

All are welcome, we hope to see you there. 🙌

🧡 National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration 🧡

NBDC is pleased to help spread the word about this celebration hosted in ‘Ya̱lis (Alert Bay) tonight, Monday, June 22.

Join friends, family, neighbours, and visitors for an evening of culture, games, food, music, and connection, including:

⚾ Xwaxwatsa̱'ma (Traditional Baseball)
🍔 BBQ Dinner
🗣 Opening by Hereditary and Community Leaders
🤝 Community Visiting
🎵 Love Song Contest
🎲 Alax̱wa (Bone Games)

Everyone welcome!

📅 Monday, June 22, 2026
⏰ 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
📍 Gukwdzi (Bighouse) Field & Gukwdzi (Bighouse), ‘Ya̱lis

For more information, contact Jen at [email protected].

06/19/2026

G̱ilaka’sla - Welcome to all players and supporters coming to our beautiful Village for the 66th Annual June Sports! Good luck, stay safe, and most importantly - have fun! 🏆⚽️

06/13/2026

☀️We are looking forward to this year's National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration here in 'Ya̱lis. See you at the Bighouse Field on Monday, June 22nd from 4:00 to 9:00 PM for a community BBQ, before heading into the Gukwdzi for an evening of celebration!

*********

You are invited to the National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration in 'Ya̱lis (Alert Bay) - everyone is welcome!

📅 Monday, June 22, 2026
⏰ 4:00pm - 9:00pm
📍 Gukwdzi (Bighouse) and Field, 'Ya̱lis - Alert Bay

Join us for:

4:00pm - Xwaxwatsa̱'ma - Traditional Baseball and BBQ Dinner at the Gukwdzi Field
5:30pm - Opening by Hereditary and Community Leaders in the Gukwdzi
5:40pm - Community Visiting in the Gukwdzi
6:15pm - Love Song Contest in the Gukwdzi
7:00pm - Alaẋwa - Bone Games in the Gukwdzi

Come as you are. Bring your family, your friends, and your community spirit. ❤️

For more information, contact Jen at [email protected]

G̱ilakas'la 👐

'Namgis First Nation Nawalakw U'mista Cultural Society

̱wakw

06/11/2026

🏡 June Sports Weekend 2026: We're Full!

The Cabins at Alert Bay are fully booked for June Sports weekend, June 18–22, 2026. Thank you to everyone who reserved early, it's going to be a wonderful weekend on the island. 🙌

If you missed out this year, our best advice is to book early for June Sports 2027. It is one of the most anticipated weekends of the year on the North Island, and Cabins go fast.

In the meantime, there are still summer dates available if you're looking for a getaway on Cormorant Island. Long evenings, whale season, the U'mista Cultural Centre, and some of the best scenery in BC.

Summer in Alert Bay is hard to beat. ☀️

👉 Check availability and book at: www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

#'Na̱mg̱is

06/09/2026

Planning a visit to Alert Bay and the North Island?

The North Island is one of the most beautiful and rewarding destinations in BC, and a little planning before you leave goes a long way.

Here's what to “Know Before You Go”:

🎣 Fishing Licences
A valid BC freshwater or saltwater fishing licence is required before you cast a line. Licences can be purchased online through the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and must be on your person while fishing. Check current openings, closures, and species restrictions before you head out, regulations change throughout the season.
👉 Purchase your licence: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

🔥 Fire Bans and Restrictions
Before you light a campfire, check current fire status for the North Island. Restrictions and bans can change quickly, and vary by zone. Fires are often prohibited from May til October, even when the weather appears wet.
👉 Check current restrictions: www.bcwildfire.ca

🚢 Ferry Schedules
Alert Bay is accessible by BC Ferries from Port McNeill. The ferry runs multiple times daily, and it can fill up on long weekends and during June Sports. This is a non-bookable route. Check the schedule and plan to arrive 30-60 minutes before sailing.
👉 Plan your crossing: www.bcferries.com

🐋 Wildlife Viewing
The North Island is home to orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, eagles, and bears. If you're on the water, familiarize yourself with marine mammal regulations, vessels must stay at least 100m from whales, and approaching too closely is both illegal and harmful.
👉 Learn more: www.seeablowgoslow.org

📵 Cell Service
There is no cell service from approximately 15 minutes north of Campbell River until approaching Port McNeill. This means approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with no cell coverage on your drive North. As well, service is limited or nonexistent on many logging roads and in remote areas around the North Island. Download your maps and any important information before you leave town.

🏡 Where to Stay
Make Alert Bay your home base and experience everything the North Island has to offer. The Cabins at Alert Bay offer comfortable, well-appointed accommodations within easy access to the local shops, U'mista Cultural Centre, whale watching, and some of the best scenery in BC.

➡️ Book your stay at: www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

#'Na̱mg̱is

05/31/2026

📍 Point of Interest: Gukwdzi (Bighouse) Field

If you're visiting Alert Bay this summer, you might notice the updated Gukwdzi (Bighouse) soccer field, and there's a lot of history behind it worth knowing about.

Every year on Father's Day weekend, the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation hosts “June Sports”, an invitation-only soccer tournament that draws teams from as far away as Vancouver. This year marks 66 years of that tradition, and it will be the second time the tournament will be held on the newly redesigned Gukwdzi Field - a professional-grade pitch built to improve the beloved but well-worn field that has served the community for decades.

The field is still in development, so it will be used exclusively for June Sports before fully opening to the community at a later date. When it does, it will be a space the 'Na̱mg̱is Nation can be genuinely proud of. 🌱

June Sports is more than a soccer tournament, it opens with a Salmon Prince & Princess Pageant, a parade, and traditional Gukwdzi (bighouse) ceremonies, and is a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone who attends.

If you're staying at The Cabins during your time in Alert Bay, the field is well worth a visit. And if your timing is right, experiencing June Sports weekend in Alert Bay is something you won't forget. (Note that we are currently fully booked for June Sports 2026 - make sure to book early for June Sports 2027!)

🏡 Book your stay at: www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca

05/26/2026

Final days to save on summer stays at The Cabins at Alert Bay! ☀️🌊

If a summer trip to Alert Bay has been sitting in the “maybe” category, this is your sign to book it.

Picture slow mornings, salty ocean air, shoreline walks, seabirds overhead, and evenings that seem to last forever. Summer on Cormorant Island moves at a different pace -- and that’s part of the magic.

Use promo code EARLYBIRD10 to receive 10% off June, July, or August stays.

🏡 Reserve your cabin here: www.thecabinsatalertbay.com (link in bio)

𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏.

–––

The details:
Valid for new reservations only. Direct bookings only through our website. Not combinable with other offers. Subject to availability. Standard policies apply.

05/22/2026

One of the best things about visiting the North Island is that some of the most incredible wildlife viewing in the world happens right from shore. 🐋

Transient ma'a̱mx̱'inux̱ (orcas) are returning to the waters around Northern Vancouver Island as we head into late spring and summer, and Alert Bay is one of the best places to spot them from land. Keep your eyes on Johnstone Strait and you just might get lucky, these animals travel in small family groups and are known to move fast and surface with small bushy blows, so stay alert.

A few things to keep in mind if you're watching from the water this season:
• Give marine mammals at least 100m of space
• If a whale surfaces within 100m of your vessel, shut off your engine until it moves beyond that distance
• See a blow? Slow down.
• Never get in the path of whales
• Report any incidents of disturbance or entanglement to DFO at 1-800-465-4336 or Coast Guard VHF 16

The North Island is home to orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, grey whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Dall's porpoise, and harbour porpoise – so even if you don't see orcas, there's a good chance something else will show up. 🌊

🏡 To book your North Island visit: www.thecabinsatalertbay.com

For more on responsible whale watching visit: www.SeeABlowGoSlow.org

05/19/2026

There’s still time to save on your summer escape to Alert Bay 🌊☀️

Our Early Bird Special is available 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏, and summer dates are beginning to fill in.

Spend your days exploring beaches, visiting local shops and cultural sites, picking blackberries, or simply slowing down and listening to the ocean. Whether you’re travelling solo, with family, or planning a quiet retreat, summer is one of the most beautiful times to experience Cormorant Island.

Book your June, July or August stay now and save 10% with promo code EARLYBIRD10.

🏡 Reserve your Cabin here: www.thecabinsatalertbay.com

𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏.

–––

The details:
Valid for new reservations only. Direct bookings only through our website. Not combinable with other offers. Subject to availability. Standard policies apply.

05/18/2026

One of the questions we sometimes get is how far The Cabins are from the ferry terminal. 🏡⛴️

As the ka̱x̱a̱lag̱a (crow) flies, it’s only about 1.5 km, but Alert Bay is built on a hill, so travelling by vehicle can be the easier option, especially with luggage or groceries.

Scenic driving directions from the ferry:
• Drive off the ferry and turn right onto Fir Street
• Continue along Fir and you’ll pass through the Village core
• Stay left where the road forks to go up Poplar Road
• Follow the signs toward The Cabins at Alert Bay

The drive only takes a few minutes. 🚗

For guests arriving without a vehicle:
• The Cabins offer pickup service if arranged ahead of time
• Taxi service is also available through 40-K Taxi, operated by Bev
📞 250-974-5525

40-K Taxi offers a flat rate for rides around town and is a great option for getting to and from the ferry, downtown, or the grocery store.

A quick note for walkers - getting downtown to the grocery store is possible on foot, but it does involve walking up and down relatively steep hills, so plan accordingly if carrying supplies.

If you have questions before your arrival, feel free to reach out, we’re always happy to help make the trip a little easier. 🌊

🏡 Come for a visit: www.thecabinsatalertbay.ca